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Presenteeism…Does it really still exist?

Presenteeism…Does it really still exist?

Presenteeism man slumped over desk

Presenteeism, the opposite of absenteeism.

Back in my 20s and 30s I worked in the Health Club industry, an industry where your work and social life become one of the same things and the line can sometimes become a little blurred. The unsociable hours force your hand somewhat, in that there was always time to work but the work was never ending. The health clubs opened at 6.30am and closed at midnight, giving you plenty of time before or after a shift to amble around the club chatting to members, staff or even catching up on paperwork.

I thought it was just the industry in which I worked that made for the long hours culture. However, having moved from health clubs to night clubs and then into retail I realised it was probably an excuse and a symptom of presenteeism. A behaviour that is cultivated by wanting to be ‘seen’ to be truly engaged, wanting to be popular with both members and my boss and possibly making up for not wanting to miss out on something.

How times have changed and how my priorities and motivations are now very different.

Whilst I work in Retail, which is fraught with the same opportunities to work 12-14 hour days, my mindset is certainly different. I’m unable to work the shifts of yesteryear due to family, responsibilities and other commitments. Besides this I actually wouldn’t want to. Life is for living!

Due to time restrictions, I find myself working so much smarter. I’m still as productive, actually, I’m more productive, as I have less time. I have to consider carefully what work I need to do to add the greatest value, this helps me to prioritise my work accordingly. I don’t have the time to work on meaningless tasks or attend pointless meetings. I’ve also learned the art of empowerment and delegation.

Having read the article posted by Andrew McGregor – “Always leave the office on time”. I started to consider how presenteeism is now perceived in the workplace. With flexible working on the increase does it still have a place in a company’s culture?

I certainly don’t believe that those who work the longest are the most productive or that they work the hardest. In fact, it would bring into question their capability to do their role.

I encourage my team to work efficiently by communicating what they are working on and setting realistic and yes sometimes stretching deadlines, but I wouldn’t expect them to work extra hours day in day out. If this was to happen I would get concerned about their capability and mine as their leader. Am I delegating work that they are not proficient to do? Am I setting unrealistic deadlines? Am I not structuring their work and the teams work effectively? There is certainly a knock on effect of the leader.

I’m also a little exasperated by untaken holidays. Everyone has the same opportunities, the excuse that ‘I have too much work’ just doesn’t really wash, for the same reasons I mention above. I struggle to understand why some people ‘choose’ not to take holiday. Holidays are there to recuperate and recharge so that you don’t get ill. They enable you to work at your true potential and give 100% productivity every day.

The managers who do nothing to manage their teams’ holidays concerns me immensely. If they can’t manage holidays (particularly those that only have statutory including bank) how can they manage millions of pounds of business, manage a key project or a process efficiently. They all take some planning surely a relatively key skill for any manager. I put this down to really poor leadership.

Having said this, I also understand the demands of balancing the business needs and the teams ability to take holidays. It can be a very difficult balancing act and a bit of a vicious circle.

The number one reason given for an employee being engaged in their work is job satisfaction. However, in order to be satisfied with their work there will surely need to be some healthy work-life balance. Personally having the balance between seeing friends and family enable me to enjoy my job even more.

Work shouldn’t be a chore, I wonder how many people love their job but are starting to consider other options and alternative companies because they are part of a long hours culture.

A presenteeism culture for me is unhealthy, unworkable and unproductive. Anyone disagree?

Written by and with kind permission to reproduce by Alyson Fadil

 

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